Côte d’Ivoire top legislator begins official visit to Viet Nam

The is the first visit by a high-ranking leader of the West African country to the Southeast Asian nation since the two sides set up their diplomatic ties 48 years ago.

The visit will mark a new development step for the long-standing friendship between the two countries. It is expected to further promote multi-faceted cooperation, particularly in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade and investment, labor, and people-to-people exchange between the two nations.

Adama Bictogo is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Vo Van Thuong, meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, hold talks with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and have working sessions with representatives from several ministries, sectors, and localities of Viet Nam.

During the visit, both sides are expected to outline specific guidelines and measures to protect legitimate rights and interests, and ensure a safe and secure environment for Vietnamese people living in the West African country.

Regarding parliamentary collaboration, the two sides will exchange views on how to further strengthen cooperation in parliamentary diplomacy, step up delegation exchanges, and share experience in organizing related activities.

Viet Nam and Côte d’Ivoire signed many cooperation documents such as a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries in May 2014, and an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders on April 18, 2017.

The two countries have regularly coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the International Organization of the Francophonie.

Since 2015, bilateral trade has increased rapidly. Côte d’Ivoire remains Viet Nam's second largest trade partner in Africa and Viet Nam's fourth largest export market in the continent with a turnover of US$1.04 billion in 2022./.